In their final home game of the season, the Boston College Eagles (13-16, 7-11 ACC) host the Syracuse Orange (16-13, 9-9 ACC) at Silvio O. Conte Forum. The game will air on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
Syracuse Orange vs. Boston College Eagles Betting Prediction
In the Orange’s last outing, they were beaten by the North Carolina Tar Heels, 92-79. North Carolina’s offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over Syracuse. The Tar Heels had a rate of 40.6 (above their season average of 35.2), while the Orange posted a mark of 27.8. Syracuse’s Bourama Sidibe had a solid game, recording 17 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks.
The Eagles lost a tough one against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their last outing, 62-61. Notre Dame’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over Boston College. The Fighting Irish had a rate of 0.121 (below their season average of 0.185), while the Eagles posted a mark of 0.068 (below their season average of 0.199). With 12 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, Boston College’s Steffon Mitchell put together a good performance.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Marek Dolezaj recorded 10 points and 11 rebounds and the Orange defeated the Eagles 76-50. The Orange knocked down 12 of their 12 free throws (100.0 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.593 vs. 0.377).
Based on historical performance heading into this one, ball security could play a key role in this matchup. Syracuse commits the 50th-fewest miscues in the nation (turnover percentage of 17.0 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Boston College forces the 51st-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 21.8 percent).
Syracuse at Boston College ATS Pick
Free Pick: ATS Winner – Boston College, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Boston College ranks 122nd in three pointers allowed per game (21.1) while Syracuse ranks 289th (27.8).
The Orange rank 33rd in blocks per game (4.5) while the Eagles rank 163rd (2.6).
Syracuse ranks 151st in rebounds per game (35.4) while Boston College ranks 261st (32.8).
The Eagles average 12.5 assists per game, which ranks 167th in the NCAA. The Orange rank 265th in assists allowed per game (17.3).
Boston College ranks 30th in steals per game (8.1) while Syracuse ranks 89th in steals allowed per game (6.1).
The Orange have been outscored by an average of 2.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Syracuse has defeated opponents by an average of 4.3 points.
During their last five games, the Eagles have scored an average of 63.8 points per game (0.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 75.0 points per game (5.5 above their season average).